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06-13-2001 PR MIN . MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2001 Members Present: Chair Kuester; Commissioners Dave Anderson, Huberty, Peterson and Sladek. Commissioner Dana Anderson arrived at 7:17 p.m. Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Phil Hals, Street/Park Superintendent; Chris leeseberg, Park Planner; Terry Bye, Park Foreman; Michele Bergh, Community Recreation Manager; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary 1. Call Meeting To Order Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Park and Recreation Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Kuester. 2. Consider 6/13/01 Park & Recreation Commission Agenda . COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE JUNE 13, 2001, PARK & RECREATION AGENDA WITH THE FOllOWING ADDITIONS: - ITEM 9.A.4. - REVIEW BIG TOOTH SWEET TOOTH CROSS COUNTRY RACE REQUEST ITEM 13. - OTHER BUSINESS - LEFA VOR OFFER OF PARK LAND COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 3. Consider Minutes of 5/9/01 Park & Recreation Commission Meeting COMMISSIONER HUBERTY MOVED APPROVAL OF THE MAY 9, 2001, PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES. COMMISSIONER SLADEK SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 4. Park & Recreation Commissioner to Attend June Planning Commission and City Council Meetings . a. 6/18/01 City Council Meeting . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 13, 2001 Page 2 Chair Kuester will attend the June 18, 2001 City Council meeting. b. 6/26/01 Planning Commission Meeting Commissioner Dave Anderson will attend the June 26, 2001 Planning Commission meeting. 5. Open Mike Noone appeared for Open Mike. 6. Hearings/Neighborhood Discussions - None 7. Area Recreation Update Michele Bergh stated that staff is very busy at this time, with summer programs beginning next week. Safety Camp was a great success and 170 children completed the event. She described some of the activities held during Safety Camp, including the "car burn". Community Rec received a record number ofT-ball registrations for the summer; 15 classes with 540 children. Over 50 summer classes will run and only 2 or 3 may be cancelled due to limited registrations. Ms. Bergh stated that they have waiting lists for classes and they have had to add staff to open more classes. 8. Park Development Progress Report Terry Bye reviewed the following park projects in progress during the past month: 1. Gagne Park - The park has remained fairly clean, most of the sign posts are still in place, although some signs are missing off the posts. Motorized vehicles are still being driven into the park, going around the boulders put in place to keep them out. It appears they are using the same trails and not making new ones. Staff is trying to find a way to keep them from entering the park, perhaps using more posts and rocks. At the other end of the park, a walking trail is being mowed by a neighboring resident. 2. Riverplace Park - A significant amount of construction trash was picked up in the park. They have been grading and hauling in top soil in preparation for installation of the playground equipment. 3. Country Crossing 3rd Park - The basketball standards and backstop are in place and the area has been seeded. The park benches are being used regularly. 4. Flower Beds - Staff is currently maintaining nine flower beds in various locations. Black dirt was placed around the flagpole at lake Orono and flowers were planted. There are two flower beds at City Hall; one in the front of the Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 13, 2001 Page 3 . building and one behind the Police Department near the trail. Jerry Palmer has spent a great deal of time in caring for the Korean War memorial at Lions Park. Photos were shown of the various locations. 5. All the parks have been fertilized and approximately 30 acres of dandelions have been sprayed. 6. Signs - Signage has been placed at ER Y ACto designate each the fields. Mr. Bye displayed drawings of park identification signs they have been working on. Mr. Bye will provide samples of both wood aIld metal signs at a future meeting. Commissioner Dave Anderson asked who is mowing the path in Gagne Park. Terry Bye stated that he did not know, but that he will check it out. Commissioner Dana Anderson arrived at this time (7:17 p.m.) 9.A.1. Adam Martin Adam Martin, Eagle Scout, provided the Commission an update on his prairie restoration project at Woodland Trails park. Martin described the project, noting that a controlled burn was done with the Fire Department and older scouts. Seed was purchased with donations and proceeds from a bake sale, and the seeds have started to sprout. He thanked the Commission for the opportunity to do the project. . 9.A.2. Nicole Olson. Woodland Trails Wetland Restoration Nicole Olson, Megan Olson and Eric Tyler, Elk River Senior High School students, presented a request for a wetland restoration project at Woodland Trails Park for their biology class. They propose to remove a 20 foot section of drain tile and adjust the elevations in order to channel the water to the wetland area. The wetland will provide habitat for birds, animals and reptiles. Elevation drawings were shown to illustrate how the wetland would be sloped. The students provided photos of what the area looks like now, and photos of a flourishing wetland nearby, which they hope to duplicate with this project. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE PROJECT REQUEST BY THE STUDENTS TO RESTORE A WETLAND IN WOODLAND TRAILS PARK. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.A.3. Request from Lincoln Elementary to Fund Playground . Donna Williams, Principal of Lincoln Elementary School, explained the drainage problems they were experiencing in the playground area. She noted that the issue has since been resolved by the transfer of dirt from the senior high school site. Due to ADA requirements, the existing playground equipment cannot be used. The Committee hopes to raise $25,000 to finish the playground. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 13, 2001 Page 4 . COMMISSIONER SLADEK MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE EXPENDITURE OF $3,000 FOR THE LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.AA. Big Tooth Sweet Tooth Run Brad Wiek requested permission to use Woodland Trails Park for the 3rd Annual Big Tooth Sweet Tooth Run event scheduled for July 28th. He stated that they would be using both the wooded and paved trails for the run. Community Rec receives registrations for the event, but does not run the event. Ms. McPherson stated that Elk River Area Schools is involved in running the event, along with the organizers. Commissioner Dave Anderson asked if the group would be able to cover the fee. Mr. Wiek stated that it would not be a problem. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE USE OF WOODLAND TRAILS PARK FOR THE BIG TOOTH SWEET TOOTH RUN SCHEDULED FOR JULY 28, 2001. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.B.1. Case No. AS 01-03, Administrative Subdivision Request by William Zacharda . Ms. McPherson stated that William and Wendy Zacharda are requesting an administrative subdivision to split 34 acres into Parcel A (25 acres), Parcel B (6 acres), and Parcel C (2.58 acres). Staff recommends that the Commission recommend cash for park dedication for two lots. Commissioner Huberty asked if the Commission should identify a possible trail along the county road at this time. Ms. McPherson stated that there should be adequate room in the county right-of-way, if a trail is proposed in the future. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND CASH BE ACCEPTED TO MEET P ARK DEDICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ZACHARDA ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION REQUEST. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.B.2. Case No. AS 01-04, Administrative Subdivision Request by Arne Engstrom . Arne and Marilyn Engstrom have requested an administrative subdivision to create three parcels. A new home will be constructed on Parcel Aj Parcel B will be contain the existing homej and Parcel C (unbuildable) is to be added to land adjacent in Big Lake Township which will be platted as a cluster/open space development. Ms. McPherson noted that the property surrounding the house was annexed by the City of Elk River from Big Lake Township and added to the existing farmstead (Parcel B). Staff recommends that cash dedication for the one buildable lot be required for Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 13, 2001 Page 5 . park dedication purposes. She noted that Mr. Engstrom has offered Parcel C for trail purposes. Arne Engstrom, applicant, stated that he currently uses the trail, which is approximately 1 ~ miles long and that there is a total of 3 - 4 miles of trail, including his neighbor's property. He stated that it is his dream to someday have the trail extend all the way to the Sand Dunes State Forest. Also, there could be a connection at County Road 32 to the property to the east. He suggested that if the Gun Club someday became a "preserve" the trail could go through the property and connect with Woodland Trails Park. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY MOVED TO RECOMMEND ACCEPTANCE OF PARCEL C IN LIEU OF CASH FOR PARK DEDICATION FOR THE ARNE ENGSTROM ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION. COMMISSIONER DAVE ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.B.3. Case No. AS 01-05, Administrative Subdivision Request by Sharon Bauer Sharon Bauer has requested an administrative subdivision to subdivide 10 ~ acres into two equal parcels. Staff recommends that the Commission recommend to the City Council that park dedication be in cash for one lot. . COMMISSIONER PETERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ACCEPT CASH FOR P ARK DEDICATION FOR THE SHARON BAUER ADMINISTRATIVE SUBDIVISION. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. 9.BA. Case No. P 01-09, Preliminary Plat - Kliever Lake Hills Michele McPherson reviewed the proposed plat of Kliever Lake Hills, located ~ mile south of County Road 12 and ~ mile west of Fillmore Street. She discussed extension of the Kliever Lake Fields park by acquiring approximately 1.4 acres ofthe Kliever Lake Hills plat. Two soccer fields and a baseball field could be located in the Kliever Lake Fields plat and a playground and shelter in the Kliever Lake Hills portion of the park. Ms. McPherson suggested that a trail could be located along the marsh. She also noted that park land could be acquired near the wetland for a separate park, or the Commission could ask that the park dedication be paid in cash for the 60 lots. Commissioner Huberty asked where sidewalks would be located. Ms. McPherson stated that the Planning Commission is recommending that sidewalks be placed along Streets A, B, G and E. . Commissioner Kuester asked when the new water tower would be constructed. Ms. McPherson stated that it would be approximately 2 years before it will be completed. She noted that securing the water tower site has been the initiating factor for this plat Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 13,2001 Page 6 . to come forward at this time. She also noted that the Brown's are not in favor of a trail to Hillside Park, and feel that providing a trail corridor in the power line easement will encourage people to come onto their property. Commissioner Dana Anderson felt it was important to the City's long range planning to designate the trail corridor along the power line easement at this time, even though it will not be built. Commissioner Anderson asked how many lots w there would be in the two plats combined. Ms. McPherson stated that there would be 200 in Kliever Lake Fields and 45-50 in Kliever Lake Hill, for a total of approximately 250. Commissioner Huberty asked where the street connection will be near Outlot A. Ms. McPherson stated that the developer has been advised to extend Street G to the south. The Commission discussed the option of a trail around Kliever Marsh at some point in the future. It was the consensus of the Commissioners to recommend land dedication to meet park dedication requirements by adding approximately 1.4 acres of land to the Kliever Lake Fields park and the possibly acquire lots 7 and 8, Block 1, near the wetland. . Commissioner Dana Anderson stated that it might be difficult to place a trail behind the homes along the wetland. Ms. McPherson stated that Outlots Band C located in the powerline easement would be held in reserve for trail purposes for the long term. She noted that this plat would be presented to the Commission for a formal recommendation at the July meetmg. 9.B.5. Case No. P 01-05, Preliminary Plat - Elk River Station John Peterson, Oakwood Land Development, and Marc Putman, designer for the project, provided background information on the project as it relates to the MN/DOT Park and Ride facility and the possible commuter rail station project. Mr. Peterson explained that Leonard and Lowell Pratt are partners on the project and that the Pratts wrote the Minnesota Contractor's Law as it exists today. Mr. Peterson noted that Leonard Pratt has been inducted into the Home Builders Hall of Fame. He explained that Marc Putman has received numerous awards for his projects, such as the Liberty on the Lake project near Stillwater. . Mr. Putman reviewed a slide presentation of various projects he has worked on such as Portland, Oregon; Minneapolis, and the East Coast. He then reviewed the layout of the Elk River Station and explained the live-work concept used in design the project. Mr. Putnam explained the various green space areas, amenities of the project, noting that these areas would be privately maintained. Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 13, 2001 Page 7 . Chair Kuester asked what the impact would be if park dedication were required in the form of cash. Ms. McPherson stated that approximately $650,000 would be req':lired for the residential portion and $21,00 for the commercial portion of the proJect. Commissioner Dave Anderson stated that he did not feel the green space constituted park land. He felt it was the developers' responsibility to provide open space for the residents. Commissioners Sladek and Peterson concurred with Commissioner Anderson's comment. Commissioner Huberty stated that she would consider the larger parcels for park dedication, but that she would have trouble giving credit for the smaller strips of land. Commissioner Dave Anderson stated that the largest of the open space areas is only an acre in size. Chair Kuester stated that it appears the Commission is indicating that they would be in favor of cash dedication. Mr. Peterson stated that if all the park land were dedicated, they would also be receiving $600,000 in amenities. It was the consensus of the Commission to continue discussion of the park dedication for this project at a future meeting. . 9.C.1. Moldenhauer Park Development Request Ms. McPherson reviewed the e-mail message from Rick Wagenpfiel regarding the lack of playground equipment at the city park located at Fresno and 182nd Street. It was the consensus of the Commission to invite the neighborhood residents to a future meeting to discuss the issue. Commissioner Dave Anderson asked that staff research the minutes for the Commission's discussion on this park and the reason that playground equipment was not planned for this park. 9.C.2. Park Use Policy Ms. McPherson explained the proposed policy for use of city streets and park facilities for community activities such as fundraisers, walks, races, parades, etc. She reviewed the current handling of these events by the various city departments. Under the proposed policy all of these functions would become the responsibility of the Community Recreation staff and those requiring special staffing would be routed to the appropriate departments. She noted that the Park and Recreation Commission would review the use of Woodland Trails and Lions Parks, other than shelter reservations. Ms. McPherson explained that when the park shelter and Woodland Trails facility use fee was established, the deposits were inadvertently removed from the fee schedule, with the exception of Woodland Trails Park. Staff recommends that deposits be re-established, in addition to the use fee. . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 13, 2001 Page 8 . Commissioner Dave Anderson suggested that use of Orono Park for events other than normal shelter reservations also be reviewed by the Park and Recreation Commission, along with Lions and Woodland Trails parks. COMMISSIONER DANA ANDERSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING TO THE CITY COUNCIL: 1. COMMUNITY RECREATION WILL RECEIVE AND PROCESS PARK SHELTER AND PARK FACILITY USE APPLICATIONS FROM RESIDENTS DESIRING TO USE SHELTERS, WOODLAND TRAILS PARK, OR CITY STREETS. 2. RE-ESTABLISH THE DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS FOR USE OF CITY FACILITIES SUCH AS SHELTERS, PARKS AND STREETS. STAFF RECOMMENDS THE SAME DEPOSIT SCALE AS WOODLAND TRAILS PARK. 3. THE PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION WILL REVIEW THE USE OF WOODLAND TRAILS, LIONS, AND ORONO PARKS, FOR USES OTHER THAN SHELTER RESERVATIONS. COMMISSIONER PETERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. . 9.C.3. Update on Snowmobile Task Force Ms. McPherson stated that the goal of the task force is to get through the city's existing ordinance and verify that it is current with the state statutes. Ms. McPherson stated that she will be incorporating revisions into ordinance formatting and a draft will be mailed to the task force members. The task force also will be identifying trail damage. She noted that there might be some funding available for trail damage. The group will meet again in two weeks. Ms. McPherson stated that they hope to have the ordinance amendments completed for adoption by the City Council in September 2001. Commissioner Dave Anderson suggested that staff obtain snowmobile ordinances from 4-5 other communities for review. 9.CA. Update of Y AC Discussion Ms. McPherson stated that a summary of the comments from the Y AC discussion meeting would be sent to the coaches. She stated that alternatives for concessions were discussed. The group will meet again in one month to discuss the budget for Y AC and prioritization of projects. . . . . Park & Recreation Commission Minutes June 13, 2001 Page 9 9.C.5. New Park Names Chair Kuester requested that this item be placed on the July 11th Park and Recreation Commission agenda. Chair Kuester noted that the River's Edge downtown group is attempting to raise funds for the mural on the west side of the Cinema Building. 10. Information/Update Items This information was presented to the Commissioners in their packets. No action was required. B. Park/Trail Developments: 1. Letter to Tom Gilgenbach 2. River City Snow Riders Newsletter 3. BXM Article 4. Park Dedication Fund Balance 11. Update on 5/21/01 City Council Meeting Chair Kuester provided an update on the May 21,2001 City Council meeting. 12. Update on 5/22/01 Planning Commission Meeting Chai: Kuester provided an update on the May 22,2001 Planning Commission meetmg. 13. Other Business Michele McPherson distributed a letter from Richard LeFavor regarding an offer of land to the City of Elk River for park purposes. Ms. McPherson stated that she will schedule a visit to the site and the Commissioners are encouraged to walk the property with staff. 14. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER PETERSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER HUBERTY SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission adjourned at 9:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary